An Israeli strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church, the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, has resulted in the deaths of two people and injured several others, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli. The strike, which occurred on Thursday, has sparked widespread condemnation, with Pope Leo XIV expressing his deep sadness over the attack.
According to reports, the church compound, which had been sheltering hundreds of displaced people, including Christians and Muslims, was hit by an Israeli shell. The blast killed two women and wounded several others, including a child with disabilities and an elderly person. Father Romanelli, who suffered minor injuries, is an Argentinian national who had become close to the late Pope Francis.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed that the strike caused fatalities and damage to the church compound. The church had been serving as a shelter for both Christians and Muslims, including children with disabilities. Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that Israeli strikes across the Palestinian territory killed at least 20 people, highlighting the escalating violence in the region.
The Israeli military has claimed that it “never targets” religious sites and regretted any harm to civilians. However, this incident has raised concerns about the safety of civilians and the protection of religious institutions in conflict zones.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also condemned the attack, expressing her country’s concern over the situation. The incident has sparked an outpouring of sympathy for the victims and their families, with many calling for an end to the violence.
